Two plates on a menu, one choice to make. At the France booth at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, one option was escargot and the other was braised short ribs. A lot of folks would be tempted to try the snails just for the story. This couple picked the beef, took a bite, and came away so happy that they said the dish should stay on the menu all year.
The couple behind Bill & Lisa’s Food and Travel turned their festival day into a game. In a video called “EPCOT Food & Wine Challenge: Can You Guess Our Picks?”, they visit 10 food booths and invite viewers to guess what they will order, with 12 points possible.
The France pavilion was the stop that got the biggest cheer.
Short Ribs Beat The Snails
At the France pavilion, the choices were escargot or braised short ribs. The couple went with the beef short rib, served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Their reaction was immediate. “Nice chunks of meat,” they said. Then: “Oh my gosh, we made the right choice. This is delicious.”
They also had a request for the people in charge. “I don’t remember this item being here on previous times we’ve been to Food and Wine, but they should keep this one on the menu year round.” For anyone who loves a comforting plate of beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, it is hard to argue.
A Hot Day And A Smart Fix
It was a warm day in Orlando, and the couple had a plan to deal with it. They carried portable fans, which they said they bought on Amazon for about 10 dollars. There was no rain in the forecast. They also skipped the alcohol, because it was warm out. Anyone who has walked around a theme park in the heat knows that a cold drink is tempting, but it is not always the wisest pick when the sun is out.
On To Morocco
The next choice they showed was at the Morocco pavilion, where the options were a chermoula chicken hummus bowl or a cauliflower bowl. They also noted that a flank steak dish looked good. It is a nice reminder of how many tempting things there are at these booths, and how hard it can be to pick just one.
A Sweet Finish
The day ended with dessert: a mini churro with apples, caramel and soft serve. Their review was short and happy. “Delicious. Recommended.” They also gave a shout out to a fan named Stephen, who said hi from Tampa.
Why The Guessing Game Works
Most food reviews tell you what someone liked after the fact. This one asks you to play along. At each booth the couple make a pick, and you try to predict which way the couple will go before they say it. With 12 points possible, it turns a simple food tour into a bit of friendly competition. It also gives you a reason to think about what you would pick yourself. Would you have gone for the snails, or the short ribs? Would you have chosen the chicken hummus bowl or the cauliflower bowl in Morocco? There is no wrong answer, only a lot of good food to talk about afterward.
How To Play The Festival Game Yourself
You do not need a camera to borrow the idea. Choosing between two dishes at every booth is a fun way to turn a long walk into a game, and it works with family, too.
- Guess before you taste. Have everyone in your group call out what they think each person will order. The couple did a version of this with their viewers, with 12 points up for grabs across 10 booths.
- Do not be afraid of the safe choice. The couple picked comfort food over escargot and were thrilled. Sometimes the plain option wins.
- Share a plate. With 10 booths on the list, there is a lot to try. Splitting dishes keeps you from filling up too soon.
- Plan for the heat. A small portable fan cost them about 10 dollars, and it helped on a warm day. Carry water, too.
- Save room for dessert. A mini churro with apples, caramel and soft serve was a fine ending to their day.
- Tell the staff what you loved. The couple said the short rib should be on the menu year round. If a dish wins you over, say so.
The Bottom Line
Festival food can be hit or miss, which is part of the fun. Here, a simple pick, braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, beat out the fancier option, and the couple said it earned a permanent spot on the menu. The next time you are standing at a booth with two choices and a line behind you, remember that sometimes the comfort food is the right call.
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